Legislative Update – August 4

August 4, 2017

Special Session on Foxconn

The Foxconn special session bill (AU7 AB1) has been introduced, and Assembly Republicans held a hearing Thursday on legislation that could provide massive incentives for a planned Wisconsin plant. The Washington Post reports that the tax deal/incentives could cost the state $230,700 per worker. The Assembly Jobs and Economy Committee is expected to vote on the bill Thursday, August 10, and full Assembly may take up the bill by mid-August. Assembly leaders said the bill may not go to the Joint Finance Committee despite its fiscal price tag. After heavy criticism over the lifting of permitting and wetland restrictions in the bill, and the quick timeline, the governor weighed in saying there were “environmental protections” and that a few weeks for the Legislature to debate the legislation and the hefty price tag is “a pretty good amount of time.” Read more about the Foxconn deal.

Fiserv

Part of the special session bill also offers incentives to a company called Fiserv headquartered in Brookfield, which is looking to leave Wisconsin. The bill essentially allows the firm to continue to receive tax incentives even if it doesn’t grow jobs. In fact, it appears they could cut the workforce and still receive government incentives.

DPI Hearings

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will conduct two public hearings on Aug. 21 related to the Assembly Education Committee’s Review of administrative rules and creation of rules related to whole grade sharing.

Rep. Adam Neylon tells WisPolitics.com he plans to push off an exec on the Foxconn legislation to consider amendments, including language that would seek to have the company give preference to Wisconsin vendors and workers. Neylon’s Jobs and the Economy Committee had originally planned to vote on the bill .

REA-REAA News

Cruz, President of the Racine Education Association (REA), which represents hundreds of educators in the district, and a coalition of several other public education stakeholders, including students, parents, and community leaders, have asked the Board of Education for an audit of all the high-stakes standardized tests district students are required to take. http://educationvotes.nea.org/2017/01/13/case-using-essa-audits-curb-high-stakes-testing/

Statewide News

A GOP bill, SB634 would preempt local governments from enacting or enforcing ordinances related to various employment matters. … Another bill, AB 729 / SB 613, would create a school district revenue limit adjustment for workforce development improvements to support vocational or technical education. … Act 130 implements in state statutes provisions already included in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act to prohibit aiding and abetting sexual abuse of children/students by school personnel.

The 365 Artists 365 Days Project – created by WEAC Region 3 member Frank Juarez of Sheboygan North High School – highlights contemporary artists from across the globe through an online interview platform. Since its inception in 2014, it has introduced artists on a daily basis via online and social media. To date, the 365 Artists 365 Days Project has featured over 700+ artists working in various media, processes, and studio practices. Juarez has shared the story of his success with the 365 Artists 365 Days Project in a column distributed by the Department of Public Instruction via its ConnectEd newsletter.